1. (1) Teachers must:

   1. (a) complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) per renewal period with a minimum of eight hours in teaching methodology per ARM 24.121.1105;
   2. (b) affirm an understanding of the duty to comply with CE requirements at renewal;

   3. (c) select quality programs that focus on protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public and contribute to professional knowledge and competence. Acceptable CE activities:

      1. (i) directly relate to the teacher's scope of practice;
      2. (ii) review current concepts and techniques;
      3. (iii) convey information beyond basic professional education;
      4. (iv) update knowledge on practice and advances in the profession; or
      5. (v) reinforce professional conduct or ethical obligations of the teacher; and

   4. (d) maintain CE documentation that includes the following for three years and provide documentation to the board upon request:

      1. (i) licensee name;
      2. (ii) course title and description of content;
      3. (iii) presenter or sponsor;
      4. (iv) course completion date(s); and
      5. (v) CE hours earned.
2. (2) CE requirements do not apply until after the first renewal.
3. (3) CE hours will not be granted for teaching a course.
4. (4) The department may randomly audit up to 50 percent of renewed teachers.
5. (5) Noncompliance with CE requirements may result in administrative suspension.
6. (6) CE hours used to complete delinquent CE requirements cannot be applied toward the next reporting period.
7. (7) CE hours required by disciplinary order cannot be applied toward the biennial 30 hours required in this rule.

Authorizing statute(s): 37-1-131, 37-1-319, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 37-1-141, 37-1-306, 37-1-319, 37-31-321, MCA

History: NEW, 2024 MAR p. 2007, Eff. 8/10/24.